Storm Damage, Rio Grande, June 29, 2012

Last night, Friday, June 29, 2012 a dandy storm passed through the area. I was in Circleville and saw it coming. I stopped at Kroger for gas and was in line behind a motorcycle. The power went out while the biker was pumping gas. He waited a few minutes and then saddled up and took off, riding in wind I wasn’t too comfortable driving in.

I thought I’d move on to Chillicothe to get a few things from their Kroger. On Bridge Street the traffic lights were out and stores closed. The storm had beat me. The same with Jackson. With the traffic lights out, it took a long time to get through town. On Route 35 several trees along the road were down. The patrol were parked with flashing lights warning motorists of the hazard.

The worst of the storm I saw was in Rio Grande. At home we lost the top of one tree and that was it. I was out early today to get a few photos of the damage. Our power was out, but was restored at about 4:30 A.M.. Thank you Buckeye Rural!

This row of trees was planted April 16, 1879 by George W. Eagle, Trustee and Treasurer of Rio Grande College on the Campus of the University of Rio Grande. As you can see, several of them are down.

The baseball field at Rio sustained damage as well. I’m glad I wasn’t in this “Johnny” when the storm hit.

Several trees were damaged at Valley View Apartments in Rio Grande.

This house, close to Lynne Center had roof damage.

Just to be neighborly, I stopped by the Amish bakery to make sure everything was OK. Everything was good!

We’re supposed to have another storm tonight, so I’d better cut this off and get it posted. Stay safe and I’ll see you soon.

I Hate Snakes!

I hate snakes! I understand they keep the rodent population down, so I don’t bother them if they are in our barn. But, too close to the house or attacking the song birds nesting in our trees and they are history!

Monday I was working on the fence around our garden and heard several birds making excited sounds. There was a snake about 5 feet long headed for the tree. I went to the house, to get my rifle and when I returned, the snake was gone.

I found him on a branch about 8 feet up. A few seconds later he was dangling from the branch, hanging down about 4 feet, blowing in the wind. I thought it would be fun when Becky comes to the garden to find him, and I’M not about to pull it down. Just before she arrived, the snake fell to the ground.

I was back to work on the fence when Becky got there and she was duly impressed with the pile of snake under the tree. I was telling her that often snakes travel in pairs and she said, “I guess that’s true because there is a big one coming out of the creek heading straight for you!”

I still had my rifle close, so he changed his mind quickly. This was a big one, about three inches in diameter and between 5 and 6 feet long. I felt like I had done my part, so I let them lay where they fell, hoping something would carry them off in the night.

Well, it’s 2 days later and there they are. Becky was suggesting that I get rid of them. Did I mention that I hate snakes? I had been as close as I intended to be to those rascals. Before long I was heading to the garden with a shovel. Did I give them a decent burial? Are you kidding? I scooped them up and flung them into the woods. Maybe a 'possum or other wild critter will smell them in a couple of days and carry them off. If not, they are where I don’t have to look at them.

Some of you are sure to be curious as to what kind of snakes they were. They are now GOOD snakes. One of my favorite saying about snakes is, “The only good snake is a dead snake.”